Centrifuge having a feeler element for sensing a medium level

ABSTRACT

A centrifuge that includes a centrifugal drum having a solids collecting chamber arranged below a bottom of the centrifugal drum. Also included is an oscillation measuring device for recording oscillations of the centrifugal drum. Further included is a medium situated in the solids collecting chamber. Also included is at least one feeler element that protrudes beyond the bottom of, and is connected to the centrifugal drum. When the medium level rises in the solids collecting chamber, the at least one feeler element is contacted by the medium before the medium contacts the centrifugal drum. The contact results in uncritical oscillations that are analyzed by the oscillation measuring device.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a centrifuge having a centrifugal drum,a solids collecting chamber arranged below the centrifugal drum, andhaving an oscillation measuring device for recording oscillations of thecentrifugal drum.

Centrifuges of the above-mentioned type are known.

In the case of centrifuges of this type, the oscillation measuringdevice can record and analyze oscillations caused by the centrifugaldrum. Based on the analyzed results, a change of the operatingparameters and, if required, a switching-off of the centrifuge will thenbe caused in order to avoid damage. Likewise, a warning signal can beactivated causing operating personnel to check a centrifuge which is notrunning under optimal operating conditions.

If the level in the solids collecting chamber has risen to such anextent that the centrifugal drum itself comes in contact with thefilled-in medium in the solids collecting tank, oscillations of anunacceptable intensity and strength may occur within a very short time.These oscillations may result in damage to the centrifuge because, undercertain circumstances, the reaction times of the oscillation measuringdevice and of the control devices which follow may not be sufficient forpreventing such damage.

The present invention further develops a centrifuge of theabove-mentioned type such that an occurrence of oscillations of anunacceptable intensity and strength because of a contact of acentrifugal drum with a medium filled in the solids collecting chambercan be reliably avoided.

According to the present invention, at least one feeler element, whichprotrudes beyond a bottom or lowest plane of the centrifugal drum, isfastened to the centrifugal drum. When the level in the solidscollecting chamber rises, this feeler element is contacted first by themedium situated in the solids collecting chamber so that, before thecentrifugal drum is contacted by the medium, uncritical oscillations aregenerated which are recorded and analyzed by the oscillation measuringdevice.

As a result of the present invention, the centrifuge has a relativelysimple construction and is cost-effective with respect to manufacturingaspects. In addition, before a contact between the centrifugal drum andthe medium in the solids collecting chamber, oscillations of anabsolutely uncritical intensity are generated which can be recorded andanalyzed by the oscillation measuring device, so that major damage, asmay occur during oscillations of an unacceptable intensity or strength,is avoided.

The invention will be better understood and appreciated from thefollowing detailed descriptions and with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a centrifuge, according to the principlesof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view taken along lines II—II of feeler element 3A inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view taken along lines III—III of feeler element 3B inFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The centrifuge shown in the Figure includes a centrifugal drum 1 whichat least partially projects into a solids collecting chamber 2 arrangedessentially below a bottom 6 of the centrifugal drum 1.

In addition, the centrifuge includes a known type of oscillationmeasuring device 7 (connection to the centrifuge not shown for sake ofclarity) for recording oscillations of the centrifugal drum 1.

According to the invention, at least one feeler element 3, whichprotrudes beyond the bottom 6 or lowest plane of the centrifugal drum 1,is fastened to the centrifugal drum. When a level of medium 4 in thesolids collecting chamber 2 rises, as indicated by the line 8, the atleast one feeler element 3 is contacted first by the medium 4. When thisoccurs, slight uncritical oscillations are generated which can berecorded and analyzed by the oscillation measuring device 7.

As shown in the Figure, the at least one feeler element 3 may bearranged in an axis of rotation 5 of the centrifugal drum 1. Also shownare feeler elements 3A and 3B which may be arranged outside orspaced-apart from the axis of rotation 5 of the centrifugal drum 1.

It is possible to arrange two or more feeler elements 3, 3A, 3B on acommon graduated circle. Likewise, it is possible to arrange two or morefeeler elements 3, 3A, 3B of different dimensions on different graduatedcircles such that no unbalanced mass is thereby created.

The feeler elements 3, 3A, 3B may have the shape of cylindrical pins.However, the feeler elements 3, 3A, 3B may also have other geometricalcross-sectional shapes, for example, non-circular. Thus, as shown inFIG. 2, feeler element or pin 3A has a cylindrical shape. As shown inFIG. 3, feeler element or pin 3B has a non-circular or rectangularcross-section.

The feeler elements 3, 3A, 3B may be selected as a function of a productto be centrifuged and/or as a function of the medium 4.

As mentioned above, one or more of feeler elements 3, 3A, 3B on theunderside of the centrifugal drum 1 contacts the medium 4 rising in thesolids collecting chamber 2 before the medium 4 contacts the centrifugaldrum 1, thereby generating oscillations in an uncritical range which canbe recorded and correspondingly analyzed by the oscillation measuringdevice 7 of the centrifuge 1.

Any known oscillation measuring device 7 can be used.

The term “oscillations”, as used in the above description, includesvibrations.

Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated indetail, it is to be clearly understood that this is done by way ofillustration and example only and is not to be taken by way oflimitation. The spirit and scope of the present disclosure are to belimited only by the terms of the appended claims.

1. A centrifuge, comprising: a centrifugal drum; a solids collectingchamber arranged below a bottom of the centrifugal drum; an oscillationmeasuring device for recording oscillations of the centrifugal drum; andat least one feeler element protruding beyond the bottom of andconnected to the centrifugal drum, so that when a medium level in thesolids collection chamber rises, the at least one feeler element iscontacted by the medium before the medium contacts the centrifugal drum,and the contact results in uncritical oscillations that are analyzed bythe oscillation measuring device.
 2. The centrifuge according to claim1, wherein the at least one feeler element is arranged in an axis ofrotation of the centrifugal drum.
 3. The centrifuge according to claim2, wherein the at least one feeler element includes an additional two ormore feeler elements arranged outside an axis of rotation of thecentrifugal drum.
 4. The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the atleast one feeler element includes two or more feeler elements ofdifferent dimensions arranged on different graduated circles of thecentrifugal drum.
 5. The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the atleast one feeler element has a shape of a cylindrical pin.
 6. Thecentrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the at least one feeler elementhas the shape of a pin with a noncircular cross-section.
 7. Thecentrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the at least one feeler elementincludes two or more feeler elements arranged outside an axis ofrotation of the centrifugal drum.
 8. The centrifuge according to claim1, wherein the at least one feeler element includes three feelerelements.